Three Steps To You ✔︎

Chapter 36

ALL I NEED

“Paano kung iwanan kita?” sa pagtanong ko niyon. Agad na namuo ang luha sa aking mata.

He curved a pale smile on his lips, “May dahilan ba para iwanan mo ʼko?”

I was stunned, “Wala...” I said.

“Hindi mo ako iiwan.” he was sure of it. He knew I wouldnʼt leave him without a valid reason.

“Paano kung ilayo ako sa ʼyo?” I asked, while deeply wishing that I could take it back, desperately. “Paano kung ayaw ng mundo na magsama tayo kahit gaano pa natin kagustong manatili sa isaʼt-isa?”

Am I going to treat him this way forever?

“Was that the one bothering you?” he asked, furrowing his forehead as he lean towards me. He cupped my face with his shivering cold palms and told me, “Then let the world be. It cannot change our fate.”

“No, Andy, listen to what Iʼm about to say and please...?” Hinawakan ko ang parehong kamay niya sa pisngi ko, “Donʼt overthink.” I uttered.

“I wonʼt.” he said, assuring. “Now, please tell me about it, I will listen to you.”

Ang aga-aga para umiyak ako. Huminga muna akong malalim. “Babalik ako ng Canada.” I began.

“How long are you staying there? Thereʼs gotta be a chance that weʼll see each other again, right?”

“Hindi ko alam kung babalik pa kami rito.” bumagsak ang balikat ko sa kawalan ng pag-asa.

“Pupuntahan kita kahit nasaan ka man magpunta.” saad niya. “Hindi tayo maghihiwalay nang dahil sa malayo tayo sa isaʼt-isa.”

Nangilid ang luha sa aking mata, napansin ko ang biglang pagtingin niya rito kaya umiwas ako at akmang pupunasan ko na, pero iniharap niya ang mukha ko sa kaniya at pinawi niya ang luhang namuo.

“Letʼs not talk about this. Ayaw kong makita na nasasaktan ka.” he stood up as he let go of my face. “I will bring our breakfast here. Sabay na tayong kumain.” he planted a kiss on my forehead as he went back to the kitchen. He was cooking macaroni soup. I can tell by its smell from here.

I laid my body on the sofa. It was cold. Damn cold. I glanced at the wall clock above me. It was 6:30 in the morning thatʼs why itʼs cold. I hugged the square pillow beside me to lessen the chills.

As soon as Andyʼs gaze met mine, he was worried. Now, he is heading towards me and asked me, “Are you feeling cold?” I nodded instantly.

Hininaan niya ang air-con at ikinuha ako ng kumot. Alam kong kinuha niya iyon mula sa kwarto ko dahil kumot ko iyong kinuha niya. He wrapped the thick baby blue blanket around my shivering body.

Kinuha niya at inihain sa center table ang sopas at isang tasa ng hot chocolate. Sinabayan niya akong kumain ng almusal. I wouldnʼt deny that he cooked delicious.

Inubos ko ʼyung nasa bowl ko at ininom ko ang aking hot chocolate. Naunahan ko siyang umubos ng pagkain.

“Papasok ka ba ngayon?”

“Oo naman.” simpleng sagot ko. “How about you?”

“Papasok din ako.” aniya.

“Sabay na tayo mamaya.” aniya. Tumango lamang ako.

Binuksan ko ang telebisyon para hindi ako mabagot dito sa sala. Naghugas ng plato si Andy at ako naman ay naiwan na nakaupo sa sofa. Nang matapos siya ay tumabi siya sa akin at umakbay sa akin upang unanan ko ang braso niya.